Call to the pen
Fansided

The 5 NL teams that have benefitted most from the universal DH

By Noah Yingling

DENVER, CO - APRIL 9: Connor Joe #9 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates the Rockies 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on April 9, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 9: Connor Joe #9 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates the Rockies 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on April 9, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Nick Castellanos, Philadelphia Phillies, Universal DH
MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 15: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies high fives teammates after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on April 15, 2022 in Miami, Florida. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

4) The Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies were one of a few teams in the NL that made free agent signings that indicated that they weren’t going to go with a huge DH committee, as some teams are.

Thus far, recently signed Nick Castellanos has been their DH the most (five games) with Kyle Schwarber (two games), and Bryce Harper (two games) starting at the DH spot the most after.

Schwarber and Harper have had slow starts to the 2022 season but Castellanos has been, arguably, their best hitter. That’s why their DH slash line is .276/.356/.487 with a wRC+ of 132. That’s fifth-best among all 30 teams at the DH spot.

3) The Pittsburgh Pirates

Considering how bad the Pittsburgh Pirates have been in recent years and how bad they likely will be in the rest of the 2022 season, the Pirates have been a pleasant surprise to start the season, as they have gone 5-4 to start the season.

One of the bright spots of the team has been their offense and, specifically, their DH’s. Their primary DH (Daniel Vogelbach) has hit very well to start the season.

Overall, their DHs were hitting .311/.371/.475 with a wRC+ of 137 to start the season.

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